Timing device



Jan. 28, 1941. s, p CARTER 2,230,025

TIMING DEVICE Filed 091:. 14, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l jigdl.

29 27 (Z sfficarl er Jan. 28, 1941. s. P. CARTER 2,230,025

v TIMING DEVICE Filed Oct. 14, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4. 11, I f. 12 m en/42:1

Patented Jan. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

The object of. my invention is to provide an improvement in a device for timing the ignition spark to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine so that the ignition spark in the respective cylinders will be produced at the proper time with relation to the position of the pistons in the cylinders.

It is also an object of my invention to provide an easy, quick and accurate method of showing the position of the points at various predetermined speeds. It is also an object of my invention to enable the mechanic to check the slow speed position as set by the manufacturer of new automobiles. The manufacturers of all automobiles set the timing at the best and proper point, but for various reasons the timing device gets out of time. Then it should be set back to the proper timing speed, namely, the time set by the maker of the particular automobile. With my device the user may determine the correct factory timing and then time his automobile to that point. This device enables one to check and determine the speed at which the mechanical governor begins to advance thespark and the speed at which it reaches a maximum; also the speed at which the vacuum governor begins to function and its maximum advance. The device also enables one to provide a means for setting the slow speed timing at a plus or minus degree from the standard factory setting. The makers of automobiles allow a variation from the standard setting and set the timing to make allowance for the various kinds of gasoline of either a high or low grade, or for high or low compression cylinder heads.

I attain these and other objects of my invention by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention applied to an automobile;

.Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of same with a portion broken away and shown insection;

Fig. 3 is an end elevationon the samescale as Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on line 4--ll of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section on line 5-5 of Fig.2;

Fig. 6 is a detail side elevation of a modified form of my device in which recess I2 is provided in the flywheel, whereby the electric spark flashes all the time at point when the motor-is out of time.

Fig. 'l is a similar View of another form of the invention in which the conductor I3 is used at the proper timing point on the flywheel, the electric spark flashing all the time from gap point. C when the motor is out of time, but as soon as proper timing points marked by the conductor is in direct line with wire point, then the spark 5 ceases to flash from gauge point C and flashes at point D;

Fig. 8 is a similar view of another formof the invention in which the insulator I4 ismounted on the flywheel. at the proper timing point, in which arrangement the spark flashes all the time from point D when the motor is out of time but when properly timed to the point marked by insulator, is in line with wire point, then the flash ceases at point D and flashes atpoint G;

Fig. 9 is a detail view with members 22 and 23 shown in side elevation and members 2|, I9, 20,

l8, l5, IE and II shown in section;

Fig. 10 is av detail view of a portion of the flyzo wheel F;

Fig. 11 is a section on line I l--l I of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view of members 42 and 43;

Fig. 13 is a detail viewof the adapter required foranother type of internal combustion engine; and

Fig. 14 is a detail. view of another form of adapter for the same type of combustion engine, but having a single channel for the'insulation pointer end of thetimer wire.

Like characters of reference designate like parts in each of the several views.

Referring to the accompanying drawings E designates an internal combustion engine which.35 may have any suitable number of cylinders, but which in the illustration is shown with six cylinders which are numeralized in order. F desighates the flywheel, D the distributor and G a ground for the wire and W the wire to number 0 one spark plug, the wire being disconnected from the spark plug, the other wires remaining in' their proper position.

The flywheel is mounted in a suitable flywheel case II], as shown in Fig. 1, having an opening '45 l I, as shown in Fig 9 for insertion of member [6.

As shown in Fig. 10 and diagrammatically in Fig. 6, the flywheel may be provided with one or more recesses l2.

As shown in Fig. 9 and diagrammatically inFig. '7, a conductor [3 may be inserted in the face of the flywheel.

As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8, the insulator 14 may be inserted in the face of the flywheel in lieu of the conductor l3. v

As shown in Fig. 9, I provide a plug 15 having a reduced end I 6 and having a longitudinal channel l1 and an internal snap ring [8. I provide a pointer body I9 having a reduced end 20 insertible in the channel [1 of the members I and I6 and carrying an internal snap ring 2| for adjustment on the insulation covering 22 of the pointer end of timing wire 23, which consists of many strands of wire so that wire 35 can be thrust between the strands of wire 23. The numera1y24 designates the timing wire covering which is continuous with member 22 and covers the continuation of member 23. Member 24 terminates in end 25 and near the end 24 is provided an annular enlarged portion or finger grip 26, as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. Mounted on and carried by the members 22 and 24 is a gauge element 2'! made of insulation material for varying the gap between the timer wire and ground wire. This gauge is provided with a slight aperture 28, as shown in Fig. 2, from which a frustoconical or expanding slot extends to the outer edge surface of the gauge, and through which slot the contact wire 32 extends. The outer surface of the gauge adjacent its curved grooved or recessed edge 34a is provided with suitable scale markings 34.

Member 32 terminates in a pointer end 33 extending to a position closely adjacent the scale markings 33, but moving in the groove or recess 34a in the gauge block so that the end 35 is protected.

Secured to the opposite end of the gauge 21 by screws 39 is a bracket 36 having the end bent at right angles to it and extending parallel to the top surface of the gauge. A conventional metal clamp 38 is secured to bracket end 31 and functions to ground the gauge and also to hold the gauge in the desired position. I also may provide a second grounding wire 40 carrying a similar conventional clamp 41 to insure a better connection and ground, as shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 12, there is illustrated an adapter 42 which replaces plug body IS. The adapter 42 has a plug element 43 of reduced size; it also has a channel 44 for insertion of reduced end 20 of pointer body [9. The function of members 42 and 43 is the same as members l5 and IE but are of different shape and size for use with motors of difierent construction. Plug element 43 is provided with a snap catch 45 to hold the adapter in place.

Referring to Fig. 13, there is illustrated another form of adapter 46 having a longitudinal slot 47 to engage a suitable element such as the conventional flywheel pointer or any other suitable element. It has a pair of thumb nuts 48 to which tension spring 49 and hook ends 50 are affixed to hold the adapter onto the casing of the flywheel. This adapter also has a channel 5| for insertion of pointer 20. It also has another similar channel 52 for the insertion or positioning of pointer 20.

Referring to Fig. 14, there is illustrated another form of adapter 53 having one channel 54 for receiving and positioning the pointer end 23.

In operation the contact wire 32 may be moved by means of its control knob 30 to adjust or vary the gap g between the electrode or contact wire 35 which is directly connected with the timer wire 23, as shown in Fig. 2. As will be obvious, the contact wire or electrode 35 communicates electric current from the timer wire 23 to the contact wire 32, which in turn is electrically connected with ground wire 40, ground clamp 4|, bracket 36 and ground clamp 38.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6, the insulated pointer I 9-20 which is fastened to the end of timer wire 23, is engaged by the internal clamp ring 2| on the member 22 which snaps into a groove in said wire and likewise members l5 and I6 are removably seatable on member 20 and secured thereto by the internal snap ring is. This insulated adapter |6-l6 is adapted to fit into the opening I l of the flywheel case, and serves to hold the conventional pointer at the proper point on the flywheel and permits my novel insulated pointer 29 to be inserted therein for testing purposes. The spring ring l8 holds the members l5-l6 on the member 20 and holds the testing point near the flywheel but at the desired clearance from the flywheel.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 13, the hole in the adapter is drilled off center so as to enable the varying of the points positioned above or below standard factory setting. The slot 4'! permits fitting the adapter over the standard conventional pointer on the automobile and thereby holds the adapter in proper position. The adapter may be locked in this position by means of the snap catch 45.

The device is diagrammatically illustrated in connection with the flywheel having slots in Fig. 6, and in Fig. 7 it is illustrated in connection with a flywheel having insulation.

The adapter shown in Fig. 13 is for use on certain heavy cars. The insulator adapter shown in Fig. 12 is for use on certain light cars; the adapter shown in Fig. 13 can also be used for the purpose of setting timing of plus and minus degrees. The vacuum governor advances the timing as the vacuum increases in the engine, which varies with the throttle opening. The mechanical governor advances the timing as the speed of the engine increases, and holds the timing in a definite relation to the speed of the motor. Motors are always timed at slow speed and the factory markings on the fly. wheel are at slow speed. As the speed of the engine increases, the governors advance the timing of the sparks, therefore it is necessary to test the action of two governors. This can be done with applicants device.

My device is clamped on the engine at some point where it can be easily seen by the mechanic. Number one spark plug wire is removed and connected to the timing wire. The adapter is then placed in the hole in the flywheel housing; and the insulated pointer of the device is inserted a short distance in the hole in the adapter. The automobile engine is then started and the insulated pointer is then pressed through the adapter hole until it touches the flywheel. The indicator hand is set on the gauge at number one position on scale 34, designated A, which gives a coarse range or adjustment, and with the engine running at idle speed a spark should appear at the gap on the gauge. If no spark is shown on the gap on the gauge, the automobile distributor is then revolved to a position where therspark will show. The indicator hand is now turned to position number 3 on scale 34, designated C, which gives a very fine adjustment on the gauge. If a spark appears at the gap at this position, then the slow speed timing is correct. If no spark appears, the distributor of the automobile must be revolved to such a position as will cause the spark to appear.

To set slow speed timing at a plus or minus of standard setting, the eccentric adapter is inserted into the flywheel housing. For low timing pointer A is placed towards rotation, and is placed away from rotation for high timing. The operator may proceed as in setting the standard timing. A short range of plus or minus setting may be had by setting the spark at the standard setting with gauge hand at figure three position; the gauge is then set at one-half position and the distributor is advanced or retarded until a spark ceases to appear at gap. Motors are always timed at slow speed and the factory markings on the fly wheel are at slow speed. As the speed of the engine increases, the governors advance the timing of the sparks, therefore it is necessary to test the action of the governors. This can be done with applicants device.

On the form shown in Fig. 6 a hole is drilled in the flywheel. The electric spark flashes all the time at point D when the motor is out of time. When flywheel comes in proper timing position, then the spark no longer flashes at point D but flashes at gap point 9 In the form shown in Fig. '7, a conductor is mounted at proper timing point on flywheel. The electric spark flashes all the time from gap point g when motor is out of time, but as soon as proper timing point, marked by conductor is in direct line with wire point, then the spark ceases to flash from gap point g and flashes at point D. When no flash is seen from point 9, the timing is correct.

In the form shown in Fig. 8 an insulator is placed at proper timing point on the flywheel. Note that spark flashes all the time from point D when the motor is out of time, but when the proper timing point, marked by insulator, is in line with wire point, then the flash ceases at point D and flash occurs at point g. When a spark is seen flashing from point g, then the motor is in proper time.

The theory of operation is as follows:

This device operates on the principle that an electric current will flow to the path of the least resistance, and this principle is used to check the timing of an engine by giving the current from the cylinder to be timed two paths over which to flow. First, one path is through the timer wire and insulated point to the face of the flywheel. Second, the other path is from timer wire across the gap G through the gauge to ground. The resistance to path number one is the same at all times, except when an isolator or insulator on flywheel face is brought between points and flywheel. The resistance in path number two is governed by width of gap G. By placing the insulated point in flywheel housing and the insulator or isolator on flywheel in such a position that they will be directly in line, when the piston to be timed is at the proper position in the cylinder; setting the gap in gauge at a width which will offer a slightly less resistance than the total resistance of the insulator or isolator on the flywheel, and rotating the distributor so the spark will occur at this position of the engine, the current will flow across the gap or gauge in form of a spark and will indicate that the engine is properly timed.

The adapter in Fig. 13 is drilled a predetermined distance above and below standard timing and allows a wide range of plus and minus tim- Either an insulated material may be attached to flywheel, or a groove out into the face of the flywheel to form an isolator for varying the resistance of the flow of the current from the insulated timing pointer.

The preferred shape of the groove is half round shape as shown in Fig. 11.

What I claim is:

1. A timing device comprising in combination with an internal combustion engine having a fly wheel and a high tension ignition distributor, an elongated conductor having at one end an electrical attachment with a selected distributing point of the distributor, and at the other end an insulating support, sustaining the end of the conductor at a fixed distance from a revolving surface of the fly wheel, the latter being provided with a spark gap configuration on said surface of the fly wheel at a point corresponding to the top dead center of the engine cylinder corresponding to the selected distributor point having a length sufficient to prevent discharge thereat, and means providing a visible spark gap between an intermediate point of the said conductor and a terminal, said spark gap means also including means for adjusting the length of said gap, and a second conducting means providing a ground connection from the terminal of the adjustable gap.

2. In combination with the device defined in claim 1, the aforesaid configuration consisting of a recess formed on the surface of the fly wheel.

3. In combination with the device defined in claim 1, the aforesaid configuration consisting of insulation material mounted on and projecting beyond a point on the surface of fly wheel.

a. In a timing device, in combination with an internal combustion engine having a fly wheel and a high tension ignition distributor, the combination of an electrical gauge element having a slotted portion functioning asa sight member, a contact wire extending into said slotted portion, a timer wire with which said contact wire is electrically connected, an adjustable gauge wire extending past and adjustable relative to the contact wire to regulate a gap therebetween, a ground wire with which said adjustable gauge wire is electrically connected, ground clamps connected to said wires and functioning also to support the gauge element, an exposed pointer end for the timer wire, a current resisting element located at a predetermined position on the face of the fly wheel and from which the insulated end of the timer wire is spaced and supported to provide a spark gap whereby to determine the correct timing of the engine, said timer wire also being connected to the distributor, the gaug element being disposed in a position readily accessible and visible for inspection.

5. In combination with the device defined in claim 4, an adapter with which the pointer end of the timer wire is engageable, said adapter having a plurality of channels offset from the center of said adapter, and into any of which channels the pointer end of the timer wire may be inserted, and means for tightly securing the adapter in the desired position on the engine.

SIMON P. CARTER. 

